The Eve of and Christmas Day Ode

After fluffing our curls for a long mass
To see the priest who was to marry Momma and Daddy at there wedding mass
But since the hurricane came,
these things would not be the same
My Nanny Hanna let me open a gift you see.
It was a new doll that I named Eva Marie
I took her with me to church where we played quite nice
We had to be as quiet as 2 little mice

Then we were off to Mimi JoAnn's, where I met a new friend
Kalee Jo said if we did not share it would be the end
For Santa would not come to see us,
And we would surely fuss

Another stop was to be made for dinner
Everyone knew that pasta would be a winner
Thank goodness for Aunt Angie and Uncle Andy for letting us in
For having McDonald's on Christmas Eve would have been a sin

As the night wore on I was tired as could be
For it was a busy day for little ole me

When I awoke from my sleep, Christmas Day was finally here
Now it was time to spread the Christmas cheer

Aunt Christilynn, leads us in song

So we know that it wont be long

The Garrity Caroling Tradition is here
For my singing debut was finally near

When the singing is all done

It is time for some real fun

The chaos came when the presents were passed out
For those who handed them out had to shout

When the presents were finished some love I had to show

To Uncle Johnny in case you didn't know

Uncle Dave was next, as he gave me some fudge
That dipped in shrimp dip tasted quite well so I did not budge

Little did I know this would keep me up all night
Which was not a pretty sight

Christmas Season from Charleston to NOLA

The Christmas season was especially busy in the south this year. It started out with Santa Claus coming to visit me early in Charleston since I went to New Orleans for Christmas this year. He brought me a kitchen set which has been alot of fun to play with my favorite part is playing with the spoon from my tea set and a pan. Since Santa did not eat all of the cookies I left for him, I decided it would be best if I finished them off. What a sugar rush so early in the morning. I only got to play with my kitchen for one day because we had to go to New Orleans to see the Garrity side of the family. Momma really enjoyed this trip because she got to take me to Story Book Land where her Momma took her when she was my age. As with everything we do in New Orleans we always take an entourage otherwise it just would not be as fun. Here is me an my Nanny Hanna with the elf.

I am not too sure about this Alice in Wonderland girl. I got to watch her movie in the car one day and it was weird. This just confirms my suspicions.I got to ride the carousel that just opened back up after Hurricane Katrina. It was so much fun. I was getting really tired of waiting to get our turn but when I finally got to get on one of the horses it made the wait worth it. It was almost as fun as playing Giddy Up Horsey with Grandma.

Aunt Sandra and Kalee Jo took us to see the biggest gingerbread house ever. It was bigger than Daddy. There was also a queen chair, Kalee Jo wanted me to share the throne with her but I thought it would be best if we each took turns.On Christmas Eve, Momma decided that we should start a new tradition for each time we are in NOLA for Christmas by going to Cafe Du Monde and Jackson Square to take in some holiday jazz.

Bakin' Cookies

Oh, what a glorious day when you get to bake cookies. Momma told me I would get to be her little helper while we mixed the batter. While she measure out all of the ingredients I made music on the mixer. As she was still getting the ingredients I told Daddy to take more pictures so we could have my first baking experience documented incase I become a famous chef someday. Momma was still getting the ingredients ready, I was getting tired of waiting so I helped myself to some pecans. Momma finally mixed all the ingredients together and she let me help roll the Cocoons, those are the cookies we made. While she was getting me the next ball of dough to roll I decided to have a taste. I even made sure to share with Momma.
Now every night I eat all of my dinner I get my very own Cocoon that I made. And boy are they delicous.

Cars and Climbing

I learned a new trick or two this past weekend. I had already mastered standing on the seat of my car but now I can stand and balance on the steering wheel. I was minding my own business making music with our glass Christmas tree dish when Momma noticed what I was doing. She must have not been too worried because she told Daddy to take a picture.

My other trick is not really a trick it is called working the system. My Momma was working on the computer one day and she let me play on the calculator. So now whenever she sits at the computer I give her leg love and make sure she looks right into my eyes so she knows that I want to work on the calculator. It worked the first couple of times but this time it didn't work one little bit. Wouldn't you fall for these beautiful blue eyes?

Christmas Time is Here

When we got back from Colorado we set up our CHRISTMAS TREE. I put on Daddy's night cap from when he was a little boy while he was setting up the tree. This helped keep everyone in the Christmas spirit. When Daddy was finished putting up the tree he turned on the lights and it was so pretty. As I was decorating the tree Santa and Mrs. Claus were having trouble listening to me so I put them up against the 'wall'. Daddy had to do most of the work on the Christmas tree because Momma was too dangerous by it with her crutches so when he was all finished I gave him a great big hug.

Fun Pictures from Colorado

Momma and her broken foot. This was better than riding in a stroller.Daddy, Momma and me at Estes Park.
Daddy, Aunt Michelle, Grandma, Aunt Jenna, Uncle Justin and me at CU.
Uncle Dave and me at Dave & Busters.

Hoglunds Hoglunds Everywhere

Oh what a scary sight

For Mommas to see so much white

Not only in the snow

But on our backs, you know

For an afternoon munch

At a Hoglund Southwest lunch

I sat with my cousin Gracie

But I was feeling a little lazy

So I took a short nap

In my Momma's lap

For Aunt Michelle and Uncle Justin we had a suprise baby shower

But he was not the one wearing the flower

Giving Thanks

A Hoglund Family Thanksgiving is much like a Garrity Family Thanksgiving.

There are lots of people like:Cousins, some older cousins like Susan who teach you how to play Zilch.

And some young ones too like Zach who lets me share his Nanna's lap aka Aunt Carol.

Lots of Uncles like Uncle Mike, Uncle Justin, and Uncle Paul.

There were even some crazy Uncles like Uncle Dave who likes to sing.

One thing I am thankful for is having 2 wonderful families to share the holidays with.

A Cold Colorado Day

For the Thangsiving holidays I finally was able to see snow and experience cold weather in Colorado. These 2 things are not nearly as important as getting to meet all of my Hoglund Aunts, Uncles and cousins. The plane ride to Colorado was fun because I sat right next to Grandma and Aunt Jenna, they both played with me on the plane. I even listened to Momma IPod just like Aunt Jenna.The first full day in in Colorado we drove up to Estes Park for the day just after it had snowed the night before 5 inches or so. It was really cold! Momma made sure to keep me toasty and warm while Daddy and Grandpa Ray rolled her around in the wheelchair because of her broken foot. It was so pretty up in the mountains, we even got to see some herds of elk.

That night we went to Uncle Mike and Aunt Cheryl's house for dinner. This was alot of fun because I got to play with my cousins, Jason and Tori. Jason had what I like to call a purse with cars in it, that he let me play with. It was the first time that I have ever played with cars. Jason and Tori taught me how to make them drive.

Oreo Cookie

What a treat is is to have an oreo cookie and milk after dinner! It is so much fun I was cracking up laughing.

Playing with Honey

My day started right after Daddy left for work and I decided it was time to get up at 6AM! I am having a hard time dealing with the time change. Momma was hoping to sleep in since it is her day to stay home with me but I had other plans. After breakfast I was busy with my baby Honey, and I did not want to play with Momma.

So Momma went shopping for some 'new' purses for me, which as we all know, a girl cannot have too many purses. Playing with my purses is one of my favorite things to do. I like to pretend that I am going shopping with my stroller and put things in the stroller just like Momma does. While looking for things for Honey to play with I discovered that a sun visor is not such a bad thing to wear. Momma said it is too bad I didn't wear it at the beach this summer.

I know it is very important to give Honey some love and kisses just like Momma and Daddy give me every day. So I gave her a big kiss before our naps.

The Toothy Tiger

It is official, I finally have a tooth! Momma has added brushing my 'teeth' to my nighttime bath ritual. She gets to brush my tooth and gums first then I get to do it all by myself. My top teeth are ready to come out, they are just taking longer than my bottom one did. Momma can see the whiteness of my gums and she tries to help it along by massaging my gums but it doesn't always work the way she wants it too.

Halloween Hype

Halloween Hype means lots of parties and lots of candy. It all started when Momma and Daddy started decorating for a Halloween party. I got to try on the witches hat and Daddy's wig. This allowed me to see if I would like to have black curly hair and I decided that this is not for me. It was just way too much curl.

At Momma and Daddy's party I got to stay up while everyone came to the Haunted Hoglund House. I thought Grandma and Grandpa were here but it was just Mr. Mica aka Grandpa Swiller.

Momma, Daddy and I dressed up too. Momma was a work out instructor, Daddy was a tennis player and I was a farmer. Daddy always talks about getting a cow so I thought it would be a good idea if he had a farmer to tend to his cow.

At my Halloween party my friends from my play group came over. I enjoyed getting to play with everyone especially Evan - he is my age. He saw Momma with the camera so he is smiling for her. It was alot of fun to have all my friends over, I thought Momma would go crazy with all the kids running around and stuff but she kept her cool.

Finally, I found out what all the Hallloween is about. I got to give out candy to all the trick or treaters with Daddy and Momma. This year they said I should hand out candy so that way I know the right way to behave for next year. This was part of learning manners, like saying Thank You. It was alot of fun giving out candy and seeing all the different costumes. Next year Momma and Daddy better get ready because I am not staying at home to have a manners lesson.